Worst Cincinnati Bengals draft picks in franchise history
By Eric Bruns
Mike Cobb, TE (Michigan State)
Drafted 22nd overall in1977
Mike Cobb caught exactly zero passes during his 13-game outing in the striped uniform in 1977. He was then traded to the Bears.
He found slightly more success in his four years in Chicago, catching 11 passes for 134 yards and no touchdowns during his Chicago tenure. Cobb fared better in the USFL where he played for the Michigan Panthers for two seasons. The Michigan State product had over 1,000 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a Panther.
The game has come a long way since 1977. Tight ends are utilized much differently now than they were back then. He could’ve been more of a pass blocker rather than a pass-catching tight end but to not catch one single pass during a season almost seems implausible.
Stanley Morgan was selected just three picks later by the Patriots. Morgan made four Pro Bowl appearances during his career. In the second round, the Jets selected Wesley Walker at receiver. In his second season, he led the NFL in receiving yards.
Jack Thompson, QB (Washington State)
Drafted 3rd overall in 1979
Jack Thompson may be remembered as a bad draft pick, but he at least had one of the greatest nicknames in the game — Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson. The Washington State product was selected so high because Cincy thought Ken Anderson’s days were numbered.
Anderson broke a bone in his right hand and missed the first four games. After an 0-5 start their coach quit and Anderson finished the season 4-8. The front office was prepped for a rebuild and decided to start with the quarterback position and took the standout at Washington State.
Thompson only started four games in 1980 and stayed on the team for two more seasons but never started. He sat behind Ken Anderson as the star quarterback led the Bengals to the Super Bowl in the 1981 season.
In 1983, Thompson was traded to Tampa where he only played two more seasons of football. In 1979, Phil Simms and Kellen Winslow Sr. were still on the board. It would’ve been interesting how it would’ve played out with Anderson and Simms on the roster.